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Nominate Your Students for the National Youth Leadership Forum: Explore Stem
Exploring a Future in STEM

At the National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): Explore STEM, your high-aspiring middle school students will receive hands-on introduction to careers in the highly competitive fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The forum provides students with a broad range of academic and career insights through interactive simulations, workshops, and speaking events with STEM experts.

NYLF Explore STEM Curriculum

NYLF: Explore STEM The forum’s curriculum is designed to ignite your students’ interest in the fields of medicine, engineering, programming, and forensic science. Students will gain exposure to these growing fields while participating in hands-on simulations, including a forum-long preparation for a mission to Mars.

Mission to Mars

During the multi-day Mission to Mars simulation, students take on the roles of an interplanetary health officials, use robotics skills to program rovers, design and construct habitats capable of sustaining human life, and utilize forensic science to investigate the attempted sabotage of their mission.

Keynote Speaker: A Former NASA Astronaut

To aid students in their preparation and provide inspiration, they will hear from a former NASA astronaut, who will share their knowledge, experiences, and stories from their careers in space exploration. Students will also learn about the world of science and the impact technology has on their community and the future.

Outdoor Medicine Simulation: When Care is Hours Away

Created by wilderness medicine expert Dr. Paul Auerbach and simulation expert Dr. Rebecca Smith-Coggins, professors in the Stanford University School of Medicine’s Department of Emergency Medicine, this realistic simulation allows your students to learn and practice potentially life-saving medical techniques, including wound care, control of bleeding, and splinting. 

Daily Skills Workshops

Students participate in workshops to help them develop important leadership skills that are essential to success in high school, college, and a career, including communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. In addition, students attend academic planning workshops to learn more about their academic options in high school and how those decisions will impact the college admissions process. Each student creates a personal success plan to help prepare for the academic and career challenges that lie ahead.

NYLF Explore STEM Sample Schedule

 

The New York Academy of Sciences’ STEM Certification Program is designed to advance quality STEM education worldwide. Certified programs must meet rigorous standards to show that they prepare students for 21st century careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. These programs are reviewed by independent experts to ensure that they build essential content knowledge and career-readiness skills like critical thinking, creativity, and communication.

Envision by WorldStrides’ Promise to You

Health & Safety: Our Top Priority


The health and safety of our students is, and always will be, our top priority. We are currently evaluating all aspects of our programs and incorporating the most up-to-date health and safety standards. We will continue to make changes as new learnings and guidance evolve from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and our program partners. For the most up-to-date answers to FAQs and procedural details highlighting our COVID-19 protocols, visit our COVID Health & Safety page.
Keynote Speaker: A Former NASA Astronaut

Students will hear from a former NASA astronaut, who will share their knowledge, experiences, and stories from their careers in space exploration.

Speakers vary by session and location. Students will hear from one of three former NASA astronauts: Dr. Leroy Chiao, Dr. Mary Ellen Weber, and Dr. Don Thomas. Each speaker will share their knowledge, experiences, and stories from their careers in space exploration, which includes highlights such as performing multiple space walks, logging as many as 229 days in space, or being the first person to paint in space.

The Impact of Nominating

 
Since 1985, Envision by WorldStrides has helped more than 800,000 high-achieving students, ranging from elementary school through college, expand their leadership abilities, discover their passion for a future career, and realize the power of their potential. A majority of those students were nominated by caring, inspiring teachers who recognized their potential for a bright future and rewarded them with a nomination to an Envision program.

The value and positive impact your nomination has on a student cannot be overstated. Even if your nominees decide not to attend a program, just being selected is an empowering and often a life-changing event. You have the power to make an impact—your vote of confidence in their hard work and dedication builds confidence and inspires them to keep reaching their goals.

 

Educator Testimonials

“I looked at Envision and saw something special, an extraordinary opportunity to empower kids, let them explore a career, and develop the skills they need to succeed.”

– Thomas S. Tucker, PH. D, Superintendent Princeton City Schools, Ohio and AASA National Superintendent of the Year, 2016

“Diedra's experience was positive, and I believe she grew in many ways, one of the most important being that the Forum help her define what she really wants to do with her career.”

- J. Syltie, MST, Math/Engineering Teacher and National Honor Society Adviser, Brookings, SD

“Amber had a life-changing experience in your program. Upon her return, she came in to all of my Anatomy classes and spoke to them in detail of the knowledge and experience she gained, the contacts she made, and overall how wonderful the event was. Thank you for providing our students with this great opportunity!”

- T. Caracciolo, M.Ed., Science Department Chair, North Port, FL

Additional Information

  • Supervision

    For over 30 years, Envision by WorldStrides has made the safety and well-being of each student during the forum our highest priority. NYLF Explore STEM is directed by a full-time staff of professional educators, and students are supervised by Advisors and Envision team members at an overall student-to-staff ratio of 18 to 1. Attendance is taken throughout the forum and all students are required to attend all activities.

    Envision team members will be positioned at the airport to meet arriving students at their gates. A member of our Envision team is on location and available 24 hours a day via cell phone and email for any parent who has questions or requires information at any time.

  • Location and Travel

    All attendees will be housed on a school campus in the city of their choice: Atlanta, GA; Berkeley, CA; Boston, MA; Bowling Green, OH; Denver, CO; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Los Angeles, CA; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; and Winston-Salem, NC. There will be two to four students per room, and each student will have their own bed. Nightly room checks are conducted by Envision team members.

    Private motor coaches provide all transportation between the forum site and program activities. No public transportation will be used during the forum.

  • Selection

    Envision by WorldStrides seeks to identify students who demonstrate leadership potential, have a history of academic achievement and an interest in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math—outstanding individuals representing a variety of backgrounds and possessing a broad range of interests and goals. We also hope to attract the most mature and independent individuals possible within this age group.

    Educators are asked to nominate middle school students who can meet the challenge of our academic curriculum and who merit the distinction of a nomination.

  • Tuition

    Tuition includes housing, instruction, and supervision by professional advisors, forum activities, program materials, breakfasts, lunches, and dinners during the forum, plus private motor coach transportation to all locations during the program. Transportation to and from the program location is not included in tuition. Please visit our website for further details.

  • Scholarships

    Do not hesitate to nominate students who can benefit from this program but who have limited financial resources. Envision by WorldStrides offers a limited number of partial scholarships to qualified students each year based upon financial need, scholastic merit, leadership achievements, and other factors. Submission of a scholarship application is required to be considered for an award. Nominees who are interested in fundraising to help offset the cost of tuition will have access to our step-by-step suggestions and activities for raising funds, as well as fundraising success stories submitted by past Envision students.

  • About Envision by WorldStrides

    For over 35 years, Envision by WorldStrides has empowered extraordinary students to become their best selves through programs that enable them to discover their passion, explore a career, and positively impact their world. In 2018, Envision became part of the WorldStrides family. The largest provider of educational travel and experiences in the United States, WorldStrides works with over 50,000 educators each year to help more than 550,000 students see the world—and themselves—in new ways.